Athlete's foot and toenail fungus are the two most common types of infections that target the feet. Yeast, molds and transferred fungi cause the fungal infections that thrive in moist, dark areas like the feet, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. While prevention is the best tool to combat foot fungus, there are a number of other cures that can help to treat it.
Vinegar
Soaking the feet in a vinegar solution has been shown to be effective in fighting foot fungus, report Mayo Clinic doctors. The acid in vinegar can help to dry up the skin and inhibit the growth of new bacteria. Mix a solution that's one part white distilled vinegar to two parts water and soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes once a day. Make sure to dry feet thoroughly after soaking. If the skin becomes irritated or you feel too much stinging, increase the amount of water in the solution and reduce the soaking to two or three times a week.
Medications
Topical medications in the form of creams and powders that include ingredients such as tolnaftate, miconazole and clotrimazole are good cures for athlete's foot fungus, but they can take two to three weeks to work, report doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The same is true of topical medications designed to treat nail fungus, such as those containing urea. The topical cures often must be combined with oral antibiotics or oral antifungal medications to attack the infections. Self-care steps must be taken in order for any over-the-counter or prescription medications to work, however.
Self-Care
Most foot funguses respond well to self-care, report UMMC doctors. Wash your feet and between your toes carefully and thoroughly every day and dry them completely. Clean white cotton socks can help to speed up foot fungus recovery. Let your feet breathe occasionally by wearing sandals or open-toed shoes. Never go barefoot when you have foot fungus because your feet are prone to picking up additional bacteria that can mitigate your healing efforts.
Laser Treatment
A laser used to treat toenail fungus was introduced in 2008 and is utilized by many podiatrists to treat the condition. Doctors at Park Plaza Foot Specialists in Houston report that the laser works by killing the bacteria underneath the nail. The procedure is painless and most people are cured after one treatment. The nail remains intact as the laser targets the pathogens underneath the nail. The damaged nail grows out and a new healthy nail replaces it within six to 12 months.
